Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from the short list of 14 players nominated for the FIFA Most Valuable Player award, a career first. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have been selected.
Ronaldo, who was released by Manchester United and then benched by Portugal at the last World Cup, won the honor in their first two surrenders — in 2016 and 2017 — and was a runner-up in all three of them. following years. It was the first time that he was not even among the candidates for obtaining it.
This honor was rebranded in 2016 after a six-year stint in which the FIFA Most Valuable Player award was paired with the Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo finished seventh in voting last year, when Robert Lewandowski won the title for a second time – ahead of Messi and Mohamed Salah. The 37-year-old Portuguese star joined Saudi club Al-Nassr last month, likely ending his European career.
The ballot brings together the captains and coaches of the national teams, as well as some handpicked journalists. Additionally, supporters can cast their votes in a vote that will close on February 3.
The winners will be announced on February 27, during a ceremony in Paris.
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